Google Page 1 Position 1 in Two Hours!
The Google Sandbox
I blogged about the Google Sandbox a couple of days ago:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/phil1944/blog/the-google-san...
Some of that was my own knowledge and experience and some of it was research.
My WA sites are around 3 months old and I have no problem getting posts onto page 1 of Bing but they show up nowhere on Google. So I was really wondering "Is that because I'm in the sandbox, or is there some other, potentially more serious reason?"
Long-Tail Keyword Ranking
One of the things that my research turned up was that you were in the sandbox if you could get ranked for a long tail keyword with little or no competition. This would indicate that you weren't being penalized by Google, it was just that you hadn't been around long enough to acquire the authority to rank on competitive keywords.
I thought that was worth a try.
So I created a blog post on one of my sites for such a keyword and submitted it to Google and Bing. Checked back a couple of hours later.
And there it was. Page 1 Position 1 on Bing. Great. But on Google...
Google Page 1 Positions 1 and 3
Page 1, Position 1 on Google as a featured snippet (see image) and also Page 1, Position 3 as a regular post.
The skin care niche is highly competitive but not on the keyword I chose. Note that I've blurred out identifying information so that I'm not promoting the site here.
This has delivered an enormous confidence boost to me, but I would also hope to any WA member who's struggling with working hard but not getting any joy from Google.
Keep Working While Waiting
You're probably in the sandbox. Keep posting and have patience.
Recent Comments
82
Cool Phil, I read your post about the sandbox and was contemplating how and what to say. But, now after reading this...I feel like I am in the sandbox as I have not been posting regularly and have now decided to start.
This was since last Friday after a situation at work. So I will see now how long it takes to come out of the sandbox.
I wish you the best!
Bob
Thanks, Bob. I think the takeaway is that the sandbox isreal, even if Google don't call it as such, and you just have to keep plugging away.
Congratulations and well done
Yes it is possible and you have proved that.
Thank you for sharing much appreciated
Jennifer
I am sure that you are doing just that
All the best success to you
Have a great weekend
Jennifer
See more comments
I'm new and don't know what the "sandbox" is.
Hi Suzanne,
You need to read my previous post The Google Sandbox: Fact or Myth? but essentially it's the name given to a set of rules imposed by Google that make it very difficult for sites to get rankings in their first few months.
Thanks, Phil. I will read that article now.
I just read your very insightful article. Thanks.
My pleasure, Suzanne.